There's such a compelling mixture of melodrama and matter-of-factness in Mahanagar that it feels impossible to nail down. It's so simple on the surface but Ray hits on so many different emotions. He takes a story of domestic turmoil (with themes of classicism and sexism) and makes it complex and heartbreaking.

On the outside a liberal feminist statement on Bengali conservatism. On the inside a sensitive, subtle drama with complex characters and situations, more in keeping with life than with political sloganism.

Ray touches on so many facets of humanity... pride, shame, integrity, jealousy, family, the value of work. Ray takes a very simple domestic problem and makes it absolutely fascinating, relevant, touching and warm. Very well filmed, too, lots of interesting shots.

Ray's finest movie (of the ones I've seen so far), and an amazing work about changing cultural values, the satisfaction that comes from independence, and much, much more.